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MORGANTOWN - Moundsville native Chase Harler always believed that he could not only play at No. 10 West Virginia University (10-1), but would one day hear his name announced as one of Bob Huggins starters.
That belief became a reality Wednesday night in the Coliseum when the 6-foot-3 former Wheeling Central Catholic standout received the starting nod to replace an injured Lamont West as the Mountaineers played host to winless Coppin State.
"I had been running with the ones (Tuesday) so I kind of had a feeling," Harler said. "But, the coaches didn't tell me until just before the game."
Playing in his 27th game for the Mountaineers, the sophomore looked like a first-time starter in the opening 20 minutes of play.
Harler, who tied his career-high with three steals in WVU's 69-60 win over Pitt, saw 13 minutes of action, coming up with a pair of steals and forcing a trio of five-seconds infractions against the Eagles as the lead defender on 'Press' Virginia's full court attack.
However, the two-time West Virginia Gatorade Boys' Basketball Player of the Year continued to struggle on the offensive end -- coming up empty on his first attempt, a 3-pointer at the 9:20 mark, and on a layup following his second steal of the half.
"I know I can make shots," Harler said.
"They just aren't falling for me right now. But, I'm going to keep shooting with confidence because I know it's just a matter of time before they fall."
Numbers which put him back on the bench to start the second half as veteran head coach Bob Huggins elected to go with true freshman Teddy Allen, who had a game-high 18 points in the first half, as one of WVU's three starting guards.
Conversely, former Cameron High School standout Logan Routt saw himself in the starting five as the second half got underway thanks to his four points-four rebound performance in the first 20 minutes.
It didn't take long for Harler to correct one of those numbers, however. Coming in for D'Angelo Hunter at the 14:21 mark, he took the ball to the basket the first time he touched it and scored 15 seconds later.
"I try to make an impact when I'm in the game," Harler said. "It would be nice to score 15 points a night, but that's not my role right now."
Harler added a third steal and an assist in the second half while Routt added six rebounds and four points in 11 minutes of action.
Senior Daxter Miles Jr. became the 52nd Mountaineer to reach the 1,000-point club, finishing with 11 points. Allen led the team with 24 points while senior Jevon Carter chipped in 14 and sophomore James Bolden added 12.